Systemic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) ointment containing protease inhibitor or gelatin in rats with burns or open wounds.

The systemic effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) ointment containing nafamostat (NM), gabexate, or gelatin was studied in rats with burns or open wounds. At 1 d after burn, plasma epinephrine, cortisol, and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) levels were elevated, but treatment with EGF plus NM (EGF+NM) ointment significantly suppressed the increase in these levels. Further, there was no loss of body weight in the open wound model following treatment with EGF+NM ointment, while loss of body weight occurred in animals in which EGF ointments without NM were applied. Increases in plasma epinephrine 1 d after open wound formation were also suppressed by the application of EGF+NM ointment. Treatment with EGF ointment containing gabexate (GX) or gelatin (GL) ameliorated changes in body weight that occurred after open wound formation, while loss of body weight in animals with open wounds occurred following the application of ointment base, EGF ointment, GX ointment, or GL ointment. The present study thus indicates that the topical application of EGF ointment containing a protease inhibitor has ameliorative systemic effects.